Thanksgiving in the MTC

My dearest mother,

I cannot believe it has been a month. It's the longest I have been without my nurturing mother. I have learned alot of independence. But then again, it's not much different because you raised me to be able to take care of myself independently - which is a very good thing! Thank you! How was your Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving here was really good. Not the food, but the experience! From being here, I have realized how much I have to be thankful for. Alot of it being for my family. Anyway, this work is getting easier. Kinda. But it is so productive and progress continually rises. I want you to keep going to the Salt Lake temple. I miss that beautiful temple. Take advantage of it. Seriously. Also another thought - Elder Holland came to the Thanksgiving devotional. I was so excited to hear him speak! Then I thought of how I can't believe how excited I get to see an apostle, because I saw the Prophet about once a month in our ward. The Prophet of this church, the Prophet of God and how much I took advantage of being in his presence. So take advantage of the opportunity we have to see that man! What a blessing! I love you, dear. Thank you for everything you do for me. Hope to hear from you soon! Have a good day, my sweet mother.

Elder Warner

Dad,

Another week is another day! It's flying. The language is coming, the Gospel is coming. I made a goal to read the Book of Mormon before I leave. I started on Wed and I'm on page 110. It's remarkable how much I can understand it and how much more sense it is making to me. It's turning into an addiction. I love this work. I hope the family had a good Thanksgiving. I have alot to be thankful for. Hope work, family and the outside world is doing well.

Much love,

Elder Warner

Thanksgiving Service Project

MTC - Week 3

Mother! How are you?! I miss you, my dear! This week flew by! The whole week felt like one normal day at home. I hope you didn't get the impression that I was complaining about anything, because I have nothing to complain about! I can't tell you how blessed I have been. Just in the past three weeks I feel like I have transformed into a new person. For the better. I have been blessed with so much patience. That's one of the big things I have noticed. This work is going so well. The language is really tough. Just when I think I understand it, there are more steps. The patience has helped me so much. I don't stress or compare myself to the class, mainly because I know the Lord will bless me and I will eventually learn it. It's incredible how much you can learn with the Lord's help. I can't begin to tell you how busy it is. I hardly have time to finish my journal every night. I can only think of the good that comes from making sure I am always busy. That is another blessing. Even if I try to find fault in something, the Lord has blessed my to find the good in everything. The ability to do that is one of my more cherished blessings. I wish I had alot of stories but everyday is basically the same from here on out. Except for today and my companion asked for a healing blessing and about half way through I literally felt like a "fire is burning". The Spirit was the strongest I have ever felt it for some reason. I hope you are doing well. I love hearing from you. Thank you for taking the time to do so, it means alot because I know how busy you are. I don't regret a second being here and I promise you I won't in the next two years! Hope to hear from you soon!

I love you, dear!

Elder Warner

Dear dad,

Much better week. The Spanish is coming. I just tell myself I knew more than I did last week. I am working on my teaching ability and learning more doctrine. There is alot to learn but it is coming very swiftly. I bore testimony this week of being led by the Spirit and it made me know I could not be here if I didn't have the help of the Lord. It's such a blessing as us missionaries are so well watched over and guided. The weeks literally feel like a merged day. The time is flyin'. I'm so stoked to get out in the field. I hope all is well at home. I got pictures coming in the mail.

Much love,

Elder Warner

First picture we received of Bryan after he entered the MTC, in front of the Provo temple. Love this picture and it warmed our hearts. Love his glow. He looks so happy. We are so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

P-Day at the MTC. A big part of the day is waiting for laundry and writing letters. Bryan's companion is to the right of him.

Elder Warner (to the viewers right), holding the Mexican flag with part of his District.

Week Two - November 15, 2010

My sweet Mother,

First off, you are the best thing that has happened to me. You are the best support! I love your letters and how you somehow make time out of your busy schedule to write me everyday. Thank you! I hope you are doing well, especially this week. I thought about you on Tuesday. All you need to know is he [Michael] is in Paradise, safe and sound. As I learn more and more about the Gospel, my testimony strengthens on the Plan of Salvation. I love knowing that someone who is in my heart is in the final stage of God's Plan, Paradise. It is such a comfort. I am on my mission to teach families in Mexico about God's Eternal Plan. His perfected, glorified plan. I know the peace, comfort, happiness and sense of direction that I have with my family is a blessing that if I didn't share with others, I would be very selfish. I could elaborate on that forever but that's a brief summary of why I am here. I want to know how you are doing. Work, family life, just whatever. I miss you alot. I wish we could talk more, but what can you do. Please, please keep writing me; your letters make my day! I know it is probably annoying writing and getting no response, but I love hearing from you! Anyway, I hope you never worry about me. I'm the best I have ever been and will be well protected these next two years. You have given me everything I need and more so I'll let you know when I need anything. As for now, all I need is your prayers for my Spanish. Thanks for all your support. I love you! Again, don't take it personal that all my responses are brief. It's just that time goes like sand in a capsule. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

I love you,

Elder Warner

Dear Dad,

Awesome week! It flew by. I don't know the night from the morning anymore. I love being here. I haven't had one regret. I hope the family is doing awesome. I could imagine so. Time is golden here. I hardly have time to respond to anyone, but I love being busy. I hope the family had a good week, especially Tuesday [Nov. 9th]. If you ever need to know how he's [Michael] doing, just ask me. He's a good companion. Anyway, I have about a 5-page email from mom I need to read and hopefully reply in my eight minutes left. Sorry for such a brief reply but it's the best I can do. You know my situation. Very busy!

Much love,

Elder Warner

Dear Dad,

Emails don't mean the same so I'm using what time I have left to send a quick letter. The other night I noticed my companion didn't have his garment top on before he went to bed. I asked, "Where is your top?" He said, "I can't sleep with it." I said, "Do you want to wake up in the morning?" He was confused and replied with, "What?!" I said, "That's all I'm gonna say" and went to bed. He has worn them ever since. That's just something small of your example to me. I always think of what a good missionary you were and what an example it is to me. I have learned about the men who transform into a missionary for life and men that are missionaries for the two years that they serve. You have the strongest testimony out of anyone I know. Your knowledge passed to me has helped me understand the simplicity and power of this Gospel. I'm itching to get out into the field, but there is still so much to learn. It is amazing what you learn in a certain amount of time when you have the Lord on your side. I couldn't be here without that help. I hope all is well at home. Keep me updated.

Much love,

Elder Warner

First Week in the MTC!

My Sweet Mother,

P-Day here at last! I would have written sooner but this is the only day we can. I just want you to know I am where I should be. I love every second here. I miss you like crazy but I'm thankful I can keep myself busy enough to where I don't have time to even think about it. I hope you know I love you and you're always in my prayers. I love it here! This work is truly the Lord's work! I love learning what I will teach the people in Mexico. I cannot wait to get out there! I love every letter I receive from you! I wish I could write back sooner but I gotta be faithful to the rules. Tell me stories, what has been up, etc. That's fun you went to Cedar. P-days are Monday. FYI - my missionary companion is ...cool. He will teach me plenty of patience and that's all I am going to say. My schedule is hectic. I love it! You know I love staying busy. I love waking up early and starting my adventurous day. It's a little overwhelming, but I know I have help. I hope you know I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Don't worry thought, he is with me. We keep an eye on each other. I love you, mom. Have a good day. Elder Warner

Dad,

This is the best decision I have ever made. I haven't regretted anything for one second. My testimony is raging. I love this work. I miss you all but I don't have time to think about that, no offense. I wake up each morning excited and ready to go. I'm learning so much. I can pray and bare my testimony in Spanish! This is just a short reassuring message so I'll leave on that. I need to use my last five minutes to write mom.

Much love,

Elder Warner

First Letter from the MTC!

(This letter came as a form letter that they give all of the missionaries to write a quick note home after they arrive there. We got this on the Saturday after we dropped him off. Those were long days waiting for the first word of our son!)

Dear family,

Never wonder if I am okay. You know whose Hands I am in. This is wonderful. I know I am not wasting a minute of my time. If you feel like you need to worry about something, worry about my Spanish. I am the only one in mu district who hasn't taken two years of Spanish! This work is true, take my promise for that. I haven't felt nervous or scared about anything. Don't take my lack of tears when we said Good-bye personal. I have been too excited to even think about the fact that I won't be seeing any of you for two years. I feel like I have been here a week, which could be a good thing? But I dunno. Everyone says time picks up after Sunday. It's kinda like an all day Seminary class with provided meals. I know I am supposed to be here, though. I can't wait until the actual mission! Time is limited. Don't worry about me. I can pray in Spanish. Just a simple primary prayer. Tell everyone that I love them, ya know - like Dewey and Tenchu. Oh, and my family! y amor la familia, Dios....be with you.

Elder Warner

MTC - November 3rd, 2010!

This day finally came! After waiting 4 1/2 months after his call, we wondered if this day would ever arrive, but it did. Looking back, those months in preparation were pretty sweet and went fast. The night before he entered the MTC, and after he got set apart as an official missionary, we spent until the wee morning hours of the morning, packing and getting those last minute things ready. He had three doting sisters that surrounded him all night, laughing and talking. It was a wonderful send-off to their brother. We were running a little late on our way to the MTC the next day and ate at "Noodles" in Orem, spent a few minutes in front of the Provo temple and then dropped our missionary off at the assigned time of 1:15 p.m! The day felt surreal. As a mom, I had waited for this sweet moment my entire life.

Mexico, here I come!

Last pose outside the house. He's ready to go!

With his sister, Brooke, Addie and Eli at the park across from the MTC

Last photo with mom and dad

Last family picture before dropping Bryan off. Karen and Wesley had flown out to be with us the week of Bryan's farewell and setting apart, but their flight back to Pennsylvania left early Wednesday morning before we dropped our Elder off.

Saying good-bye to his sister, Michelle. These two have become best friends and will miss each other.

And he's off! Within five minutes, we had dropped him off at the marker, said our good-byes and he turned around and left with the biggest smile on his face ever! Yes, his mom cried but it was hard to be too sad, when he was so excited! He was so ready to begin his missionary journey.